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Deadlines/Dates
February 2: Deadline to submit Wool/Pelt LDP for 2025
February 2: Last day to return or postmark completed ballots to the USDA Service Center
February 16: Closed in Observance of President’s Day
April 30: Deadline to apply for SDRP Stage 1 & 2
Winter is Planning Season: Steps to a More Resilient and Profitable Farm in 2026
While the fields across Allamakee County are resting under a blanket frost and some snow, now is the perfect time for landowners and producers to plan for a successful and sustainable 2026 growing season. The decisions made in the warmth of your office or kitchen today, backed by decades of agricultural research, can have a significant impact on your soil health, water quality, and bottom line this spring and for years to come.
The Allamakee County office of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging producers to use this quieter season to think strategically about conservation on their land.
“Winter provides a valuable window of opportunity to review data from last season and plan with a clear head,” says the local NRCS team. “In our county’s unique hilly landscape, proactive conservation is one of the best investments a producer can make. The science is clear: healthy soil leads to more resilient and profitable operations.”
Here are a few key, research-proven areas to consider as you plan for 2026:
1. Boost Your Soil Health with a One-Two Punch
Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive farm. Research from institutions like Iowa State University consistently shows that combining cover crops and no-till/reduced tillage creates a powerful system for soil improvement.
• Cover Crops: Planning now for cover crops after your 2026 harvest does more than just cover the ground. A cereal rye cover crop, for instance, has been shown to scavenge 25-50 pounds of residual nitrogen per acre, keeping it in the field for your next cash crop. Furthermore, long-term use of cover crops increases soil organic matter. For every 1% increase in organic matter, the soil can hold thousands of additional gallons of water per acre, making your fields more resilient to drought.
• No-Till or Reduced Tillage: By not disturbing the soil, you preserve its natural structure. Earthworm channels and old root pathways create macropores that act like a sponge, dramatically increasing water infiltration during heavy rain events. This is critical for reducing runoff and erosion on Allamakee County’s slopes.
2. Make a Winter Plan for Smarter Nutrient Management
Winter is the ideal time to analyze your soil test results from last fall and create a nutrient management plan. This is not just about what you apply, but when and how.
• The Science of Winter Application: Agricultural research is definitive on this point: applying manure or commercial fertilizer on frozen or snow-covered ground is highly inefficient and environmentally risky. Nutrients are unable to incorporate into the soil and are very likely to be lost with snowmelt or winter rains. This runoff contributes to nutrient loading in local streams and represents a direct financial loss for the producer. Planning now for spring application ensures your fertilizer investment feeds your crop, not the ditch. This principle is a cornerstone of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
3. Design a More Productive Grazing System
For livestock producers, winter is the perfect time to map out pastures and plan for a prescribed grazing system. By dividing pastures and rotating livestock, you allow grasses time to rest and recover. Research shows this leads to deeper root systems, improved forage diversity, and increased carrying capacity over time. Planning now for fencing and water infrastructure can set you up for a more productive grazing season in 2026.
Your Local NRCS is Here to Help
You don’t have to do this planning alone. The Allamakee County NRCS office provides free, one-on-one technical assistance to help you develop a conservation plan that incorporates these research-proven practices for your specific goals and property.
Furthermore, NRCS offers financial assistance programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), to help producers implement these conservation practices. The application processes for these programs have deadlines, so starting the conversation now is the best way to be prepared.
Winter is more than just a time of rest; it’s a time of preparation. By using this time to plan, you can build a more resilient, profitable, and environmentally sound operation for 2026 and beyond.
